Once the euphoria of the engagement settles down, the first real challenge a newly-engaged couple will face is the cost of their wedding day. Avoiding a budget blow-out might be the best wedding prep they do. 

Weddings are expensive. That said, the crazy prices you are quoted in the early stages might be overwhelming, but don’t let them frighten you. With a little forward planning, you can still have the wedding of your dreams, regardless of your budget.

Do your budget

A spreadsheet is an essential tool for planning and tracking your wedding spend. Many ready-to-go wedding budget spreadsheets are available for download from the internet. Here’s just one example – find one that suits you best.   Depending on your wedding plans, you might need to factor in a dozen Harley-Davidsons air-freighted to a remote Pacific island. Or you might simply need a taxi to a registry office. Your call.

So, step one is to consider the type of wedding ceremoney and reception you want.  It’s pretty much a case of "anything goes" for modern weddings, with beach weddings, garden settings, vineyards and restaurants all popular options. For many, a  traditional church ceremony followed by a reception venue will always be the number one choice. 

Once you’ve locked in the venue, the next step is to set your budget. Just don’t forget to add 20 per cent to your overall starting budget to act as a buffer for the unexpected.

Your budget will go some way to helping you narrow down your choices, as some options are considerably cheaper than others. Want a handy tip? Weddings held on a Friday or Sunday, rather than a Saturday, can save you big dollars when it comes to booking a reception venue.

Most wedding reception centres offer a variety of dining packages to suit a range of budgets. Many venues will offer a cocktail-and-canape option that costs less than a traditional three-course meal. This is a great way to celebrate the event without compromising on style and taste. It’s also guaranteed to make sure your guests mingle. Read our guide to stand-up versus sit-down weddings.

The fine details

But there’s more to a wedding than just the ceremony and the reception venue. Here are just some of the things you’ll need to include on your budget spreadsheet:

• wedding dress; bridesmaids gowns; suits for the groom and best man;
• flower arrangements;
• wedding rings;
• celebrant or costs of the church;
• wedding car hire;
• wedding cake;
• invitations and order of service at the ceremony;
• honeymoon;
• gifts for the bridal party;
• bonboniere and table decorations;
• hens night and bucks night;
• live music.